YouTube has been unceremoniously dumped from iOS 6, the latest beta version of Apple's mobile operating system reveals.

The Google-owned video website's native app for iPhones and iPads is bundled with Cupertino's shiny gadgets, and pops up to play video on behalf of other applications, but this cosy relationship is coming to an end - quite possibly a casualty of Apple and Google's ongoing thermonuclear war in the mobile sector.

Fanbois will eventually be able to download an app capable of playing YouTube videos - Google is working on one right now - but it won't be integrated into Apple's iThings.

Apple has its own native video app, called er Video, for stuff bought off iTunes, or synced from other devices over iCloud, but it is obviously no match for YouTube in terms content - there are plenty of things to watch besides cats and warbling hipsters.

Some speculate that Google engineered the app pull-out, preferring to have complete control over its app so it can have unique access to ad revenues from video playback. The advertising giant did not respond to The Reg's request for comment.

And fanbois will be thrilled by a high-resolution 3D map of Birmingham in their next iPhone: Brum and Manchester are two British cities outside London that will feature in super-detail. Only an handful of European burghs qualify for the honour. The 3D maps are built using technology that Apple acquired when it bought Swedish image makers C3 last year. ®